And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
Exodus 3:14 NKJV
In our Scripture passage for today God is laying out His plan to Moses to save the Israelites from the slavery and oppression they had been facing for many years in Egypt. Moses had killed an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew and the Pharaoh wanted to kill Moses. Moses fled for his life. He married there, had a son and wound up tending sheep for his father-in-law, who was also the priest there.
Moses had been in Midian 40 years. He had a life there. He wanted to see the Israelites saved, but he wasn’t so sure he was the man for the job. He asks God, who shall I say to my people has sent me? And God responds with “I AM WHO I AM”. Then, “Tell them I AM has sent you.”
I have to admit the first few times I read that I thought, “What?” I mean is this supposed to be Moses’ answer to his people? What does this even mean. Well, let me tell you, there is a whole lot of meaning packed in those two little words.
Jesus is part of a triune God or one God in three persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He is totally self-sufficient. He always has been and always will be. He doesn’t need us or anyone else to exist. He has always existed and will always exist.
On the other hand, He is all we need. He is everything we need. We are encouraged to seek Him with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13). We are encouraged to love Him with all our heart and soul and mind (Matthew 22:37).
Exodus is the first time we see Him as referring to Himself as simply, I AM. This term, however, is used throughout the Bible.
In Isaiah 41:10, God said, “I am your God.” In Isaiah 43:5, God said, “I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake.”
In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” In John 6:35, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” In John 15:1 Jesus said, “I am the true vine.” In John 10:9, Jesus said, “I am the door.” In John 10:11, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd.” In John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
In Revelation 1:17-18, Jesus said, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
In Revelation 1:8, Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” In Revelation 22:13, Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” In Revelation 21:6, Jesus said, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of water of life without payment.”
Jesus doesn’t need us, He wants us. I often wonder why.
We desperately need Him. He is all we need. If we focus on Him and put Him first, He will take care of us and provide all we need.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first he kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Simply put we need to seek Him with all our heart. We need to love Him with all we’ve got. We must put Him first in our lives. When we do this, He will provide all we need.
He is the great I AM. We can trust in Him.
Have a great day!